Charles Leming

Charles "Bud" Leming, 75, of Scott City, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Oct. 31, 1930, in Cape Girardeau, son of M.E. and Thelma Coleman Leming. He first married Joyce Birk June 17, 1951, in Little Rock, Ark. He and Barbara Steger were married Dec. 27, 1986, in Cape Girardeau. She survives.

Mr. Leming worked at M.E. Leming Lumber Co. from 1946 to 1992 as laborer, foreman of sawmill, salesman, office manager, general manager and president. He had been in direct charge of 20 employees and had overseen up to 40-plus.

He handled Workers Compensation, insurance of all kinds including claims, unemployment claims, truck operations, and licensing, lumber sales, log buying, supervision of shipping department schedules through foremen, paying bills and all kinds of government examinations. Mr. Leming handled just about anything that can come to a small business even though it seems that to the government all business is subject to about the same rules and regulations.

Mr. Leming left the company in March 1992 when the economy and the floods that we had made it apparent that the company was going to cease operation after starting in 1894. He secured broker's license and went to work for Century 21 Ashland Realty Co. immediately following above employment. He was currently serving on the Cape County Board of Realtors and was nominated to serve as president in 1995. Also nominated to serve on the board of Cape County Multi-List Service, starting in 1994.

He had been trustee of Community Industrial Development Fund, and member of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Board of Greater Cape Girardeau Development Corp., board of Centenary United Methodist Church, and board of managers for the Show Me Center.

Mr. Leming had also been president of Lions Club, president and general chairman of United Way, chairman of the board at Centenary Church 17 years, president of Cape Girardeau Development Corp., president of Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association during its 100th year, commissioner of Cape Babe Ruth League, and president of SEMO Booster Club (in charge of barbecue about 20 years).

He served on the boards of First Federal Savings and Loan, Friends of Old St. Vincent's Church, Wholesale and Manufacturing of Chamber of Commerce, president and 13 years as secretary of South Central Lumbermen's Club, nomination committee of National Lumber Association, boards of Cape County Red Cross, Girl Scouts and Rotary Club.

Mr. Leming graduated from Southeast in 1952 with a degree in general business. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1954, and also served with the Naval Reserve. He attained the rank of lieutenant in the supply corps.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Leming; a son, Charles "Chuck" Leming and wife Dana of Jackson; three daughters, Susan Leming of St. Louis, Lynne Einsiedel and husband Loren of Wauwatosa, Wis., Caryn Pirano and husband Vince of Downey, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Victoria Overbey of Scott City; a brother, Paul Leming and wife Barbara of Lake Charles, La.; two sisters, Ruth Jean Tucker and husband Bill of Dallas, Texas, Lois Woodford and husband Charles of Cape Girardeau.

He is also survived by five grandchildren, Jason Kinnison of Perryville, Mo., Michael Love of Champaign, Ill., Blake Leming, Clayton Leming and Taylor Leming, all of Jackson; two stepgrandchildren, MacKenzie Barnett and Michaela Overbey; and two great-grandchildren, Coby and Kirsten Kinnison.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Nancy.

Friends may call at Centenary United Methodist Church from 9 to 10 a.m. today. An American Legion service will be held.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. today at the church, with the Rev. Jeff Long officiating.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Memorial Fund or Alzheimer's Association, 9374 Olive Street Road, St. Louis, Mo., 63132-3214.